Reflections - Keep it Real!

I’ve written in past posts / chapters about my family’s annual trips to Myrtle Beach during my childhood. From the shopping trips to Waccamaw Pottery through to the local malls it seems my entire family enjoyed the shopping more than the time at the beach on those trips.

One of my prized possessions as a kid was my portable cassette player. While I didn’t have the trendy yellow Sony Walkman I had one that worked just fine for my needs. On my trips to the US I was always on the hunt for my next cassette tape treasure. As a kid I didn’t have the cash flow to buy every cassette I wanted so I often went for the mixed tape with various hit songs on it so I could get more bang for my buck.

On one such trip and purchase I procured a mixed tape with various hit songs of the day. As we got in the car for the ride back to the hotel I picked at the cellophane wrapper and read the track list over and over. I could hardly contain my excitement to the point where the first thing I did back at the hotel was pop the cassette into the player and put my headphones on.

To say I was disappointed in what I heard was an understatement. While the songs playing on the cassette were indeed the track list, the artists sadly were NOT the same as those on the radio. Turns out the tape was simply an unknown group singing the hit songs of the day. At this point I was angry. I had spent my own money on a tape that I simply could not bear to listen to….

In business we see the same type of disappointment. There’s multiple times I’ve seen ideas recycled or even copied outright by others. The challenge with that is sadly, like the cassette tape, the recycled product is not near as effective or saleable as the original. Some examples from my own experience in the retail space:

⁃ engaging with consultants and having them mimic back the same info you provided them in the ‘discovery’. A former coach of mine referred to this as them “asking for your watch so they could tell you what time it is”

⁃ Industry ‘experts’ seeking commentary only to use that same material and pass it off as their own without credit to those providing the insight

If you look at your own career I’m sure you can find similar examples of where the copy is nowhere near the expectation or capability of the original. Here is how I would recommend you “keep it real” in work and life:

1. Read the fine print: In my excitement of buying the cassette tape some due diligence would have promptly informed me that the tape I was buying was NOT performed by the original artists. It would have also saved me from wasting my hard earned cash. If you are signing up for something that involves charging or paying for goods and services make sure you are clear on what you are giving and / or getting.

2. Clarify your asks: I’ve used many consultants and consulting firms over my career - most are highly reputable and have delivered on the required outcomes. The key to a successful engagement is to be crystal clear on what you are looking for, what they will provide and what form the output needs to take. You need to ask questions like “what does success look like?” and “how can I measure and audit the return on my investment with you?”. If you can’t answer those questions you may be in for some regret down the line.

3. Seek references: when you suspect someone is trying to pass of an idea, product or program that is not their own, ask questions. Seeking understanding and asking questions is not a sign of weakness or a barometer of your intelligence. Rather, it is a means to ensuring you are protecting your investment. If a firm or person is that confident in their knowledge and abilities, they should happily provide the requested info.

While I no longer have the storied mixed tape or cassette player talked about here, I still carry the lessons they provide with me daily. As it has been written elsewhere (and I take no credit for it), the bitter taste of poor quality endures long after the glory of a great price has subsided.

Until next time, keep the faith everyone…

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Jim McKay is a seasoned supply chain executive with over twenty-five years experience in leading and coaching others. Through his 'Reflections' posts and 'Reflections of a Workaholic' publications Jim shares his experience in transportation, supply chain and leadership through impactful and insightful stories that are meant to help and inspire others.